Curtain stretcher



April l0, 1951 K. J. UNWIN CURTAIN STRETCHER Filed Jan. 30

atented Apr. 10, yi951 KennetniJ'- Unwin. Kenosha.,

Wis., assignorf` byV mesne assignments, to- Quaker Stretcher Com-lpany-fKenosha! Wise consin= al corporation of VWis-v nnrlication January- 30.1.9.4372L Serial NQ. 644,364,

6 Claims.

' rlfhe present invention relates-to improvements curtain stretchers andmore particularly to a novelA construction of the means which engagestheperipheral porti-Qn of a curtain.

Heretofore it has been commonv to provide curtain stretchers with a rcwof impalfing pins ad'- jacent` the inner edge of the curtain stretcherframe. Such an arrangement requires a relatively4 precise adjustment of`the curtain frame to the exact dimensions of the curtain to be placedthemen. To avoidV the precise adjustment heretoiore required,v it hasbeen proposed to provide a: curtainimpaling device adjacent the inneredge ora curtain stretcherfrarne which has a'pluralit'y cf; parallelarranged irnpralingv members. While the latter device obviates thenecessity for preciseA adjustment off the curtain `frame, it has thedisadvantage inherent in all` impalingV arrange ments ofy presenting aplurality ofl sharp points vvjliicl1-V come in contactv with the fingerspersonplacing the 4curtain on the stretcher. Not infrequently suchcontact is apt to bruise or injure the iinger tips.` Great care must Ialso be taken during the impalingpperation not to tear the edger ofVAthe curtain.

in accordance withl the present invention a curtain engaging device isprovidedfwith amulti Dlicity ofJr closely arran ged needle-like membersintegrally formedy of-a"sheet of`Y corrosion and rustresistant metal.The needleflile-members ff are at acute angles to the plane surfaceoffthe curtain stretcher frame'and all; terminate in a planey parallelthereto. Preferablythe leading eliges of such membersare formed so as tohave line burrs which readily butjharmlessly engage over an extended,`area` offl the peripheral portion o fl'the curtain. Engagementof' theburrs with the peripheral portions ofthe curtain'secures the curtain inposition without substantial perforation of the curtain material; Due tothe small space interval between adjacent needle-like projections, thereis no, danger of injuring the finger tips of the person placing thecurtain on the frame, as is common with the usual' pin, type stretcher.The close spacing of the members further prevents substantialperforation of the curtain material reducing greatly the strain on eachlthread of the curtainv andw provides within certain limits an area whichobviates the necessity for the precise adjustmentjofthe curtain frameVto the exact dimensionskof vthe curtain to be olacedthereon. m It is,therefore', an obiect ofthe present invention to provideanimprovedcurtainrengaging and retaining devicewhich is-relativelysimple to` of the 2 manufacture and toattaeh toa curtain stretcherframe.

It is another object ofthe present invention to provide an improvementin curtain stretchers wherebyit isL unnecessary toadjust the curtainstretcher'frame forsmall variations in the dimensions.' of the curtainto be stretched. Other and further objects of the present inventionsubsequently Wil-l becomeapparent, by reference to the followingdescription taken in connection with the; accompanying" drawing whereinFigure 1 is a perspective view of' a curtain stretcher provided with thepresent invention;-

V Figure 2- is a cross-sectional view'rin thel direction oi the arrowsalongthe line Z--Zl of Figlure 1j showing a curtain mountedA on thefra-me;

Figure 3 is a plan View of' the curtain engaging device forming a partof the frame members of the curtain stretcher shown in Figure 1;v

Figure 4; is an enlarged' cross-sectionalV view of the curtain engagingdevice as seen in the directionY ofthe arrows along the line li--ll` ofFigure Figure 5 is an enlarged View ofr the device shown in Figure 3 asseen at an angle thereto.V

Eteferrinar more particular-lv to Figure 1" of the drawing, there isshown a curtain stretcher hav ing uprightA end members Hl andl2providedwith rearwardlv extending legs M" andA i5 respectively.Each'of thelegs is retained' inra fixed position by apivoted bracketsuchasvthe bracket I8 visible at the left endofv the fram@i The pivotedbracket [thisv provided atits forward endwith a slot which engages aheadmember 2e mounted on the side of the upright member lg2v. `Each legsuchV as the leg ll'is secured" to the upright member |2by a hill-ge2.2.V l

Atthe upper extremity the upright frame members mi and I2` are securedto horizontally arranged'members 24: and'26" which are joinedr togetherby a plate-like member 218. The platelilge member ZitE is rigidlysecured to the hori Zonta-l member 26n by means ofp bolts .3!3 and-32.A` bolt 34 extends through the member 24 and through a slot 36 'in themember 281 Upon loosen'- ing the bolt'3-4 themembers 21!Y and 26 may befolded se as to beparallel to each other. A bolt 38'; also extendsthrough the member 24 and the plate 28'" and passes through an uprightsupport member, 49. Attheright endoff'th'e horizontal member 2e therelisprovided aplate llzywhich is secured thereto by a plurality ofv boltsManel-46. The plate '42 is also secured to the upright' member` lh' byrthe bo1t 48 and* aremovable bolt-hav.-

The arrangement of the .the clamping member ing a wing nut 50. Uponremoving the wing nut 50 the member I0 may be swung on the pivot bolt 48so as to lie parallel to the horizontal bar 26. Thus, the plates 28 and42 are provided for folding the frame for storage.

A second horizontal member formed in two portions 52 and 54 extendsbetween the end upright members I and I2. The member 52 at one endcarries a clamp member 55 secured thereto by a pair of bolts 58. heclamping member is provided with a clamping screw 60. The other end ofthe other lower horizontal member 54 is similarly provided withaclamping bracket or member 62 having a clamping screw 84. The clampingmember 62 is secured to the member 54 by a plurality of bolts 65. Theinner ends of the lower horizontal members 52 and 54 are retainedtogether by means of a plate y68 secured to the member 54 by a pair ofbolts 10. The plate 68 is also secured to the member 52 by a pluralityof bolts one bolt 12 being visible in the drawing. The member S8 is of aconstruction similar to the member 36 on the upper horizontal members.The intermediate portion of the lower horizontal bars 52 and 54 isretained in position with respect to the central support 40 by means ofa clamping device I4 which engages the vertical member 40.

The vertical end upright I2 is connected to the upper horizontal member24 by means of a plate 'I4 secured thereto by bolts 16. The plate 14 issecured to the upright member I2 by means of a bolt 18 and another bolthaving a wing nut 80. plate 14 relative to the I2 and the horizontalmember 24 is similar to the arrangement of the plate 42 at the other endof the curtain stretcher. Thus by means of the plates 1 4, 38 and 42 thecurtain stretcher may be folded for storage so that the members I2, 24,26 and I0 are arranged parallel to each other.

Between the vertical member 40 and the end support member I0 there isprovided an intervertical member Amediate support or guide member 82which at its upper extremity carries a clamping member 84 securedthereto by bolts such as the bolt 86. The clamping member 84 includes aclamping screw 81 arranged to .engage the upper edge of the horizontalbar 26,. The lowerA portion of the intermediate support 82 carriesaclamping member -88 which is similar to the construction of 14 whichinterconnects the intermediate support 40 with the lower horizontalmembers 52 and 54. By adjusting the various clamps it becomes apparentthat the area delineated by the members I0, 24, 20, 82, 54 and 52 may beset so as to conform generally to the measurement of a curtain which isto be stretched thereon.

, Each of the vertical and horizontal frame members I0, I2, 24, 26, 52,54 and 82 is provided lat the inner edge with a curtain engaging device90. The curtain engaging device 99 consists of an elongated metal striphaving integrally formed projections, and which is located adjacent theinner edge of the curtain frame member for engaging the peripheralportions of a curtain. The details of the curtain engaging member 90will be better appreciated by reference to the subsequent figures.Figure 2 illustrates with particularity that the curtain engaging device90 is secured to the frame member such as the member 28 by a pluralityof fastening means such as the nails 92 which pass through suitableapertures at the edges of the member 90 into the wood frame member A26.Figure 2 also shows a curtain 94 having its peripheral portion inengagement with a substantial area of the -curtain engaging device 90.Figure 3 also shows a portion of the curtain in engagement with thecurtain engaging device 90. From Figure 3 it will be seen that thecurtain engaging device is provided with flat border portions 96 havinglongitudinally spaced apertures through which the nails or fasteningmeans 92 are passed. The area between the two border portions 99 iscovered with a multiplicity of upwardly-struck closely adjacentneedle-like projections 98 which preferably are arranged in staggeredrows such as the rows |00 and |02 etc.

The member 99 is formed of a very thin sheet of rust and corrosionresistant metal formed in a strip I04 from which the projections 98 arestruck upwardly so that each projection is angularly inclined to theplane of the base of the strip. The outer end of each of theupwardlystruck projections 98 is arranged in a plane common to a planeparallel to the surface of a curtain stretcher bar or member. After theprojections 98 are struck upwardly, the upper ends are ground to formthe terminating plane for all of the projecting members and to form oneach leading edge of the projecting members 98 a burr |08. From Figures4 and 5 it will be seen that each projecting member 98 is struckupwardly so as to have generally parallel sides, thus forming aplurality of parallel-sided apertures |08 from which the members 98 havebeen struck. The projecting members 98 are closely spaced t0'- gether sothat adjacent members are separated by a very small fraction of an inch,for example a fraction of the order of 1/8 inch. The projections arevery narrow, one embodiment having projections of the order of 1/ 10u ofan inch wide. It is to be understood that the dimensions given asexamples are not to be considered limitations but merely indicative ofthe type of construction employed by the present invention. By thushaving the angularly arranged members 98 at acute angles in directionsaway from the inner edges of the frame members as is evident from Figure2, a large number of burrs |06 will engage the underside of the materialof the curtain 94 to secure the curtain in position without anysubstantial perforation, puncture, or deformation of weave of thecurtain material. In other words, the curtain material is not impaledupon the projections 98 so that the upper ends cf the projectionsprotrude through the curtain material. It, of course, will be understoodthat this description of the engagement of the curtain is generallyaccurate and correct, but in certain larger mesh materials the outerends of the projecting members 98 may be clearly visible and uponexamination appear to be substantially coincident with the upper orouter surface of the curtain. In the finer mesh materials, however, theprojections 98 do not pierce the cloth as is the case with pins orbarbed impaling members heretofore employed in curtain stretcherconstruction. Due to the fact that a relatively large area is providedwith the multiplicity of projecting members 98 between the borderportions 96, it will be appreciated that the present device alsoobviates the necessity for meticulously minute exact adjustment of thecurtain stretcher frame to the exact dimensions of the curtain. Thisgreatly facilitates the use of the stretcher. A very large area providedbetween the border portions 98 of "the fastening device 90 also operatesto preclude an impaling action of the projections 98 relative to thecurtain material and also precludes the possibility of damaging orinjuring the finger surfaces of the operator.

While in order tol illustrate the invention, it has been convenientto.show the invention as applied to a wood frame curtain stretcher, itis to be understood that the invention is susceptible of otherembodiments. For example the curtain engaging device 90 has been shownas secured to the frame by means of nails 92 whereas it is to beunderstood that any other approved manner of fastening the device 90 tothe frame may be employed. It furthermore will be appreciated that thecurtain engaging device may be formed integrally where the curtainstretcher is of the metal frame type. It also will be appreciated thatthe upwardly extending needle-like projecting members 98 may be formedin other manners than that shown and that while the preferred embodimentillustrated shows the projections 98 at a certain angle to the base,that other angles may be employed including an angle or" ninety degrees.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown tofacilitate illustration and description, it is to be understood that itis not to be limited thereby since such variations are contemplated asmay be commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention set forthin the following claims.

This invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1 A curtain engaging device for curtain stretchers comp-rising a stripof metal adapted to be secured to the surface of a curtain stretcherframe and having a multiplicity of punched struck-upwardly needle-likeprojections respectively terminating in sharp-edged, pointless outer endportions disposed substantially in a, plane parallel to said strip so asto engage curtain material stretched on a frame without substantialperforation of the material.

2. A curtain engaging device for curtain stretchers comprising a stripof thin rust resistant metal adapted to be secured to the surface of acurtain stretcher frame and having a multiplicity of punchedstruck-upwardly needle-like projections respectively terminating insharpedged, pointless outer end portions disposed substantially in aplane parallel to said strip, each of said projections having a leadingedge burr whereby a plurality of burrs in an extended area are adaptedto be engaged by curtain material stretched on a curtain frame.

3. A curtain engaging device for curtain stretchers comprising a stripof thin rust resistant metal adapted to be secured to the surface of acurtain stretcher frame and having a multiplicity of punchedstruck-upwardly angularly arranged relatively narrow parallel-sidedprojections arranged at acute angles to said strip, said projectionshaving sharp-edged, pointless outer ends disposed substantially parallelto said strip and being formed with leading edge burrs extending in thedirection of inclination whereby a plurality of burrs in an extendedarea are adapted to engage curtain material without substantialperforation thereof.

4. A. curtain engaging device for curtain stretchers comprising anelongated strip of rust resista-nt metal adapted to be secured to theplane surface of a curtain stretcher frame and having a multiplicity ofpunched struck-upwardly angularly arranged relatively narrowparallel-sided projections arranged closely adjacent each other instaggered rows, said projections being arranged at acute angles to saidstrip and having sharp-edged, pointless outer end portions formed withleading edge burrs arranged in a plane parallel to said strip forengagement by curtain material without substantial perforation of thematerial.

5. A curtain stretcher frame having secured to its inner edgeslongitudinally extending material engaging devices formed of relativelythin rust resistant metal strips each having a plurality of staggeredrows of punched struck-upwardly angularly inclined relatively narrowparallel-sided projections each terminating in a sharp-edged, pointlessouter end portion substantially parallel to said strip and having aleading edge burr whereby a plurality of burrs in an extended area areadapted to engage curtain material stretched on said frame Withoutsubstantial perforation of the material.

6. An adjustable curtain stretcher frame formed of a plurality ofmembers having plane surfaces provided adjacent their inner edges withlongitudinally extending strips of thin rust resistant metal, said metalstrips each having a multiplicity of punched struck-upwardly relativelynarrow parallel-sided projections arranged at acute angles to said stripto point away from the inner area of the frame, said projectionsterminating in sharp-edged, pointless outer ends disposed substantiallyin a plane parallel to said strip and being provided with burrs at theleading edges of the respective projections whereby said projectionspresent in an extended area a plurality of burrs adapted to engagecurtain material stretched on said frame without substantial perforationof the material.

KENNETH J. UNWIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

